It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned of the passing of ESCP’s former Visiting Lecturer of 13 years, Chris Madge, on 10th February 2023.
Following a successful career in business, Chris joined ESCP Business School (then ESCP-EAP European School of Management) in Oxford back in 1999.
The office was then old and antiquated, and Chris worked with the team to manage the move to London in 2004. He remained at ESCP Business School until his retirement in 2012.
He specialised in Principles of Marketing (Marketing Management or Fundamentals of Marketing) and Consumer Behaviour, teaching in seminars and group projects, mainly with students of the Master in Management, Master in European Business (the precursor to the School’s full-time MBA in International Management) and the Summer School programmes.
Chris also taught similar subjects at Oxford Brookes University’s Master in European Business, Culture and Languages programme for many years, until his retirement.
Prior to teaching, Chris began his career in marketing with international agency CPM. He was a very keen athlete and an avid climber, often returning to his roots in the Lake District to enjoy those sports regularly, and also during his retirement.
Chris will be greatly missed by the ESCP community, especially at ESCP London Campus, where his undying enthusiasm for teaching and interacting with students and colleagues in the friendliest manner is still remembered by many. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy are extended to his family at this time.
His family has extended an invitation to anyone wishing to attend the funeral, especially Chris’s former students and colleagues. It will take place on Thursday, 2nd March at 2:30pm at Bentley Crematorium, Ongar Rd, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9RZ. Please contact his son David for further information.
ESCP London Campus colleagues remember Chris:
‘Chris was an exceptionally talented and gentle person. The students loved him and young professors like me stood with awe while he was teaching. He certainly made a very strong impression on me and taught me how to communicate difficult ideas with humour and clarity. Chris was larger than life!’ Minas Kastanakis, Professor of Marketing
‘Chris was a lovely man and a dear colleague. He was highly valued by many students through the years, and had a meaningful impact on their careers. We all benefited from knowing him.’ Anthony Evans, Professor of Economics
‘Chris Madge was a wonderful person and he has definitely left a lasting impression, not only with me but everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him here at ESCP. For me personally, he was funny, full of positive energy and very attentive. He was one of those people who you will never forget!’ Resh Williams, Reception Manager
‘I remember Chris as an infallibly cheerful, constantly helpful colleague with great charm, well-loved by all who worked with him. He was clearly deeply woven into the fabric of ESCP as it moved from Oxford to London and provided an important continuity link. I first encountered him teaching on the Summer School programme where he addressed the perennial challenge of student engagement by offering Mars bars to anyone giving correct answers in class. It worked, too!’ Peter Stephenson-Wright, Affiliate Professor of Marketing and Director of Corporate Relations and Careers Service
‘Chris was a great character. Funny and so caring. I remember his enthusiasm and his little Milky Way treats he always had for us and his students. It was a pleasure to know him. My condolences to the whole family.’ Katarina Krafcikova, Planning and Data Senior Manager
‘Chris commanded the huge main auditorium at ESCP through his sheer enthusiasm for his subject. Plus of course he was happy to use a bit of showmanship - he began his address to any large audience by playing music from a Grenadiers March; by the time the students had found their places, the left-right-left music had turned them into one happy bunch. Chris positioned himself as Mr Real-world Business, and, instead of theories, he had a fund of real-world stories to make his points. Chris would not want us to be sad at this time; instead, he would want us to pass on his enthusiasm for life, for students and for always taking the initiative.’ Jeremy H. Baker, former Visiting Lecturer of Marketing
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